Free, online, every Monday at 8pm. No waiting lists, no pressure.
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1 in 8
people in the UK will experience social anxiety at some point
Free
always, for anyone in the UK - no referral, no waiting list, no catch
20%
average reduction in symptoms after 10+ sessions, based on member data
Newcastle
If you're looking for social anxiety help in Newcastle, there's more out there than it feels like at 11pm. You can self-refer to NHS Newcastle Talking Therapies for free CBT without seeing a GP, and Tyneside and Northumberland Mind runs a support line every day. WalkTheTalk adds something different: a free online social anxiety support group, with people from Newcastle joining every Monday night.
Newcastle is a sociable city, and that can make social anxiety feel louder. Both universities, Newcastle and Northumbria, sit right by the city centre, so there's a steady run of freshers' weeks, flat parties and seminars where everyone seems to know each other already. Nights out drift down to the Quayside, and on matchdays the crowds around St James' Park spill through town. Even the Metro into work can mean standing shoulder to shoulder with strangers.
None of that means something is wrong with you. Social anxiety is usually a temporary state, not a fixed part of who you are, and good anxiety support in Newcastle starts with one small step.
Confidence is a muscle. WalkTheTalk is about giving you an easy, low-stakes way to train yours. Every Monday at 8pm
Join a Monday session →
HOW IT WORKS
Small steps. Real people. No pressure.
Every Monday at 8pm, you join a small group online. Here’s what happens.
8:00 - 8:10
Check in honestly
Everyone shares briefly how the week's gone. There's no pressure to say more than you want to, especially the first time.
8:10 - 8:40
Share a win and a struggle
This is where the real conversation happens - sharing what's on your mind with people who understand without needing an explanation.
8:40 - 8:50
Leave with one thing to try
Pick one small thing to practice before next Monday - a concrete action. If time, we try social anxiety icebreakers to keep the conversation going.
Newcastle
Social anxiety therapy in Newcastle: NHS and local support
Alongside WalkTheTalk, these services are available nearby. These are signposts, not endorsements. Always verify details before visiting.
NHS Newcastle Talking Therapies
Free NHS talking therapy, including CBT, for people aged 16 and over who live in Newcastle and are registered with a GP there. You can self-refer online through their digital referral assistant or by calling 0330 0534 230, with no GP appointment needed.
Tyneside and Northumberland Mind
Your local Mind, based at Carliol Square in the city centre, running Safe Space support groups and a support line on 0330 174 3174 (weekdays 2pm-10pm, weekends 12pm-8pm). A good place to start if you want to talk to someone today.
Everyturn Children and Young People's Services (formerly Streetwise)
Free, confidential counselling for 11-25 year olds living in Newcastle, based at The Beacon on Westgate Road. If you're 18-25 you can refer yourself; under-18s go through the Newcastle and Gateshead Single Point of Access on 0303 1231147.
Anxiety UK
A national charity run by and for people with lived experience of anxiety. It has an infoline on 03444 775 774, calls with peer supporters, and low-cost therapy starting at £20 a session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find a social anxiety group in Newcastle?
You can join WalkTheTalk, a free online social anxiety group that people from Newcastle attend every Monday at 8pm. It's one UK-wide group on video call, so you can join from your flat in Heaton or your sofa in Gosforth. Most of the hour is spent in a small breakout room of 5-6 people, and there's nothing to pay.
Can I self-refer for CBT in Newcastle?
Yes. NHS Newcastle Talking Therapies accepts self-referrals, so you don't need to see your GP first. If you're 16 or over and registered with a Newcastle GP, you can refer yourself online with their digital referral assistant, or call 0330 0534 230 (Monday to Thursday 8am-8pm, Friday 8am-5pm). Start here: https://vitahealthgroup.co.uk/nhs-talking-therapies/newcastle/
How much does social anxiety peer support cost?
WalkTheTalk's peer support is completely free. There's no fee, no subscription and no catch. You don't need a referral or a diagnosis to join, and there's no waiting list. If you sign up this week, you can be on Monday's call. Free social anxiety support online should be easy to reach, so we've kept it that way.
What is an online social anxiety group actually like?
It's calmer than most people expect. A WalkTheTalk session runs 8-9pm on Monday by video call. You'll sit in a breakout room of 5-6 people for a check-in, a chat about the week's wins and struggles, and sometimes an icebreaker. Most people leave with one small thing to try. Speaking is optional, and listening is a perfectly good first week.
Can peer support help with social anxiety?
Yes. Peer support gives you somewhere safe to practise the things social anxiety makes hard: speaking up, being seen and sitting with a bit of awkwardness. It isn't therapy, and we're not clinicians. It works well alongside NHS therapy or CBT, whether you're waiting to start or you've finished a course and want to keep your progress going.
Are there in-person social anxiety events in Newcastle?
Not from WalkTheTalk yet. Our sessions are online for now. People from Newcastle already join the Monday group, and we're investing in local connection: community socials, meetups and, eventually, city-based groups. We can't promise dates yet. In the meantime, Tyneside and Northumberland Mind runs Safe Space support groups that are worth looking into.
Is there social anxiety support for young adults in Newcastle?
Yes. Everyturn Children and Young People's Services, formerly Streetwise, offers free, confidential counselling to 11-25 year olds living in Newcastle, and 18-25 year olds can self-refer. NHS Newcastle Talking Therapies accepts self-referrals from age 16. WalkTheTalk's Monday group is another option if you'd rather start with peers.